Comments

hadenough

This is the mentality of not only Fredonia but Dunkirk as well. Find a few thousand dollars and instead of putting it away for a rainy day the politicians decide to spend it. Why because it is not their money. It will not affect how they live. So why keep it. Plant trees and bushes. Instead of fixing roofs. Use old worn out parts instead of planning for new equipment. This is the mentality of the politician. Just think a few weeks ago the council wanted to buy an asphalt laying machine. But did not mention the tack truck or the dump trucks needed to keep it filled. Most if not all elected officials are not qualified to lead a household much less a city. The time spent on city business is limited to what two hours twice a month. This inability to lead responsibility does not exist in the city.

tjefson

Captain, I think local resident is right and they would find a way to re-coup the 15%. The only solution is to simply move. I wonder how many people are already making attempts and plans. The public sector has become a burden rather than a service it was intended to be. You are right, I do despise the privileged elitist who have forced their oppressive ways on the less fortunate. There is no compassion to be found within this group. For example, the teachers will eliminate all the children's programs before they would concede a dime. They have become freeloaders.

Captain

It's NOT a privilege to have a job! You get paid for your labor/knowledge. To propose a local 15% "gratitude tax" against public employees is crazy talk! This isn't "out of the box" thinking, it's vengeful rantings, and sounds a lot like revenue-generating ideas out of Albany, you know, the people you hate so much, but are now emulating with such an asinine idea.

MatthiasJ

Seems that most small village govt. are in the game for what they can get out of it, yet they claim they are for the taxpayers! It's more fun for them to claim they want things like they were in the " village hay days of the 50's and 60's. We all know that will never happen without businesses to supply jobs for people to earn a living so they can afford to stay here, the politicians only interest is spending extra money to get what they want and if they don't have the funds... oh we'll just borrow it. People need to remember that Ralcorp had started the closure process of both Petri's and Carriage house as they owned both for a number of years. It was their cookie plant in Wisconsin where Petri's was going and KY where Carriage House was going until Con Agra arrived on the scene and just hurried the process along.

localresident

Tj, I understand your point, but that's not feasible, plus it won't make much of a dent in the $1.5 million deficit that will be looming. ...well, it would, but you're talking about a lot of jobs that don't pay much more than $20/hr...if that. The village and schools made a deal, at our expense at that, but taxing them is only going to come back and bite the rest of us. Think about it, they'll find a way to squeeze you for that 15% tax.

tjefson

I think a local public employee tax may be order since this is where the money resides. Professors at Fredonia State would have an opportunity to show their appreciation and give back to the community. Also, the teachers and administrators at Fredonia Elementary and High School would get a chance to show their gratitude. Furthermore, the police and firefighters would surely cherish the opportunity to say thank you to the community. Since these people pay so little for their health insurance, a 15% local income tax seems reasonable. This is the "out of the box" thinking that needs to take place.

localresident

Commentor is pretty close. One person want so open a car wash on commercially zoned property but board draaaaags their feet because reasons, and STILL can't find a way despite their desperate attempts to stop it. A couple months later, another person applies to build a car wash, and has no trouble, and is almost ushered through like a celebrity before anyone paying attention can object. Holmes Place street is torn apart...and left that way. With no explanation. How's that for beginners?

Captain

localresident

Ahh, yes, this village board is obviously much better than boards past. Where else can you get to spend 90 grand extra for 90 days' worth of water that went unreported, and when it was found out, ZERO discipline (in fact, the faulty leader was allowed to retire, no penalty). Building inspector threatens trustee. ZERO discipline (in fact, he was able to retire on a bogus workplace injury). Trustee in a questionable role with the fire department? Sure. Retired work injury inspector comes back to serve on zoning board? Absolutely! New building inspector did not take the civil service exam? Pfft! No problem! What's that? He's also under investigation for taking money for inspections from his last job? C'mon aboard! Yeah, this board is totes responsible.

joew

Sorry pauly but I don't sit in on all the council and board meetings nor am I privy to all the conversations that take place amongst Mayors,members of the councils,committee members,legislators et al so no I can't refute that what you claim you know.

joew

Sorry pauly but I don't sit in on all the council and board meetings nor am I privy to all the conversations that take place amongst Mayors,members of the councils,committee members,legislators et al so no I can't refute that what you claim you know. I did however stay in a Holiday Inn Express the other night.

joew

You would think that christopher with all his insider info about any subject would be in a position of authority or be sought out as a sounding board given his infinite wisdom right? I'll bet he alone could have saved WNY from it's fall into fiscal chaos.

tjefson

I would take "Groucho" over Keefe any day of the week. How could the Marx brothers have known their version of "Duck Soup" would become closer to real life with each passing year. The modern day real life leaders are a bit more insane than the fictional leaders of Fredonia. However, the real life version of the leaders make me want to cry, while their counterparts were hilarious.

commentor

This Village is run by I like you I don't like you. The zoning board and the planning board ran Cornell out of Town with their stupidity and unreasonable requests. Why they did this is way beyond me. Those boards like many have people on them that wouldn't know good business practices if they hit them in the face. As for Carriage House there is nothing they could have done to save it. ConAgra bought it to close it just like Petrie's in Silver Creek. I still believe the Town should annex to the Village but we know that won't happen either. As for Sullivan he cared nothing about the Village. He had ulterior motives to serve his own ego. What is ahead for the Village who knows only time will tell.

Christopher

...once again, the finger is pointed at the wrong people. Some of the budget items passed since Mayor Sullivan left are things that needed repair or replacement but were kicked down the road for strictly political purposes. Any money saved if Sullivan and his Town cohorts had gotten there way would have been minimal at best, and would not have helped with the closure of carriage House and its impact. Sorry, wrong all the way around. If anyone has SPECIFICS to argue, a defined and provable cost savings I'm missing, feel free to respond.

Christopher

Interesting. Let's see, Mayuor Sullivan, the Mayor who clearly said he wanted to be the LAST Mayor of Fredonia, heavily backed by Town of Pomfret elected officials, who I'm SURE had no agenda of their own. (Swampland sale, anyone?) How would that have benefitted? The Town would have had to take over and provide the water and sewer, which they don't now. Employees lowered? I doubt that very much. The pay and benefits are about the same. (I know this for a fact, don't argue unless you know Town and Village employees of the same title and their pay package, PLEASE)WE would have lost the DPW head, but the Town Supervisor would have demanded more money for the larger job and responsibilities, a practice well documented. How much real savings could Mike Sullivan have obtained with that move? How much better would the situation be now with a merged governance? Mark Ruckman votes no on everything, whether needed or not, that's not too hard. cont....